I’ve seen a lot of bad Mother’s Day gifts being advertised, and I’m sure that I have given a few myself over the years (sorry ma!), but never again! The brands featured here include MICHAEL Michael Kors, Patagonia, and Alex and Ani, but there are literally thousands more to chose from at the site, including cool mom-friendly favorites such as Trina Turk, Lilly Pulitzer, and The North Face. If you tend to wait until the 11th hour to buy gifts – no problemo — Zappos has a Mother’s Day Gift Guide already put together for you to peruse, AND free shipping and returns is a fast, effortless way for mom to get what she needs and deserves (and if not, she can easily pick out something else she’d like to have!).
Although you could wear these pieces to any and all summer activities mentioned, here’s a more specific break down of each one:
1) THE BEACH:
In this look: Patagonia Folly Beach Dress
Something chic hat can roll up extra small (without becoming wrinkled), be paired with a bunch of different footwear options, and work as a beach cover up and a dinner-appropriate dress will get the most love and appreciation from mom. The double-tiered silhouette creates an elongated, figure, flattering silhouette, and the built-in shelf bra will give mom even less to worry about.
Plus, mother earth will give you bonus points, as it’s made from 57% organic cotton. When picking out a solid or pattern for mom, go for one that isn’t too busy (I recommend a maximum of three colors in the print), and can easily pair with items she already owns and loves.
2) THE BARBEQUE:
In this look: MICHAEL Michael Kors Jade T-Strap Hemp Washed Canvas Printed Crocodile Kitten Heels
Low heels, aka the kitten heel, has certainly made a sophisticated comeback in fashion lately, and is at a manageable height that we all can find comfortable. Find a version that suits her, and will look great paired with skirt, dress, or even streamlined shorts at a summer BBQ party. The double strapped, studded version is elegant and on-trend, while the mix of textures, particularly the beige canvas, gives it summer-worthy appeal.
When picking out shoes for your mom, make sure you know her size, and her favorite brands. It’s also important to know how her foot runs (wide, narrow), and read the reviews before making a purchase to see how true to size the footwear you have in mind may actually be.
3) THE BASEBALL GAME:
In this look: Alex and Ani Pittsburgh Pirates Cap Logo Bracelet
There’s a lot of terrible “mom” jewelry out there, so I would strongly advise that you veer away from that at all costs. Instead, opt for a generally nice piece of jewelry, and if you’d prefer to pick out a charm or pendant, reach for the subtle, less obvious versions. One of my favorite things to do with my mom during the summer is go to a baseball game, and root for our hometown team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. Plus, sliding on a charm bracelet is so much cooler than getting “hat hair” from a baseball cap!
If you’re not a Pirates fan, I forgive you, but all kidding aside, you can wear your team allegiance on your wrist, with these understated options from Alex and Ani. I couldn’t believe how great some of the charm options were, with most available in a silver or gold finish. I already had a bunch of the brand’s expandable bracelets, so this one looked right at home amongst the rest. If your mom’s not a baseball fan, no problemo, as there are literally hundreds of other charm options, making it easy to buy another bangle or two for each holiday.
Full Disclosure: Items featured in this post were given to Fashion Pulse Daily for editorial review purposes.